My parents taught me gratitude by their daily examples. I'm grateful for so many things--the smile of our son or the crackle on the top of a giant ginger cookie. I hope to share that gratitude with you year round as you visit me here at Halland (Hall Land) House Gifts.

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Homespun Gathering

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Pre-PEAR-ation

Build a Pear

This morning I have dug deep to finish my latest pear from Samplers and Santas. Marly's had purple flowers and a different colored pot, but I thought these DMC choices might go better with my home's decor. First, I cut out the back from some 40 count linen. The more I can use it for other purposes the less I will feel the need to stitch on it. My eyes can't see 40 ct. very well anymore.

I typically use my computer screen as a light box. This enables to change the sizing as needed. When I get it right I trace around the pear with a air dissolving marker.

Time to pin and sew on Mom's old Singer.

Eyeball a rough seam allowance and snip away.

Fill with lentils and whip stitch closed.

On the Shaker Shelf with her friends.

I usually find my "pear stems" from outdoors. This one came from our ornamental apple tree.

Finally finished a recent freebie from Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm. The finish will require a Dremel, so y'all will have to wait. :-) TEHE :-)

Coin Treasure

It is my job to sort and roll the coins in our change jar. DH hates doing that, and I don't mind since I look at it as mad money for framing cross stitch :-). Yesterday I found a Buffalo coin among the others. It's pretty old since the date has worn off. No date makes it pretty worthless to a collector. Cleaning a coin also devalues it. I had forgotten that and plunked it right into my jewelry cleaner to see if I could find a date. No date. No worries I'll just add it to my other coin finds that are practically worthless to a collector such as a Canadian penny. I used to find those more often as a kid when we lived in Massachusetts and New York.

I love the heart shape I found in this section of bark. It came from a tree that was recently cut down in our wood line.

For giggles I spread some zinnia seeds from a dead flower on the dirt in our pot several weeks ago. Now I have lovely sprouts. Which will come first flowers or frost?

Zinnia ready for seed harvest.

Hide . . .

. . . and peek

I thought these basil were gonners for sure. Then I watered it. I got green leaves a few days later. I think it may be time to make some bread with the rest of it.

Until next time, be thankful for your many blessings--God's gifts to you.

About Me

I come from many generations of women who gracefully and artfully created with needles. The surviving quilts they have sewn and other fabric arts are in my blood. I began counted cross stitching over thirty five years ago and have recently begun the process of quilting just like so many in my family. I live with my husband of 22 years, teenage son, beautiful cat Abigail and sweet German Shepherd here in our cozy Cape Cod in Tennessee.

About Me

I come from many generations of women who gracefully and artfully created with needles. The surviving quilts they have sewn and other fabric arts are in my blood. I began counted cross stitching over thirty five years ago and have recently begun the process of quilting just like so many in my family. I live with my husband of 22 years, teenage son, beautiful cat Abigail and sweet German Shepherd here in our cozy Cape Cod in Tennessee.